Which is Better between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter? A Very Detailed Review.

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Great Pyrenees Versus Irish Setter: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Great Pyrenees and for the Irish Setter. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Setter.

Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Great Pyrenees belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Irish Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Pyrenees to the Irish Setter based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter

Factor Great Pyrenees Irish Setter
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 15 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Height 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 85 to 160 pounds 60 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $830 $1680
Price Range $500 – $1000 $1200 – $2200
Temperament Score 84.9 percent 90.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 68 74
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 64 35

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Pyrenees in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Irish Setter. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Great Pyrenees is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Setter is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Irish Setter!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter

    Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are most different:

  • Great Pyreneess are not easy to train. However, Irish Setters are very easy to train.
  • Great Pyreneess are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Irish Setters are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter

    The Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are most similar:

  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are very playful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter.

    Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.

    Irish Setters live longer than Great Pyreneess.

    Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Versus the Irish Setter

    The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Great Pyrenees.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Great Pyrenees is 84.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Great Pyrenees has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 152 Great Pyreneess and 154 Irish Setters.

    Price of Great Pyrenees versus Price of Irish Setter

    The average price of the Great Pyrenees puppy is $830. The price of the Great Pyrenees typically ranges from $500 – $1000. However, the price of a Great Pyrenees can be as low as $195 and as high as $2825. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 352 Great Pyrenees puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of the Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Great Pyrenees.

    Great Pyrenees Irish Setter
    Average Price $830 $1680
    Price Range $500 to $1000 $1200 to $2200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Pyrenees and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Pyrenees puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Pyreneess. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Pyreneess. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters?

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Pyrenees puppy or the Irish Setter puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    Adopting the Great Pyrenees versus Adopting the Irish Setter

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Pyreneess and many Irish Setters are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Great Pyrenees named Sly Brown – Dfw that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Pyreneess like Sly Brown – Dfw on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Great Pyreneess, Irish Setters are also available for adoption. For example, Oliver & Maggie Together Only is a Male Irish Setter that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Setters like Oliver & Maggie Together Only that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Hank is the name of another Great Pyrenees (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Gordon – 831 is an adorable Male Irish Setter on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Great Pyreneess and Irish Setters are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Great Pyreneess and Irish Setters that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Great Pyrenees versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter

    Great Pyrenees Irish Setter
    Intelligence Rank 64 out of 130 dog breeds 35 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Great Pyrenees has an obedience intelligence rank of 64 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Pyreneess tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Irish Setter is more intelligent than the Great Pyrenees.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Great Pyrenees versus Popularity of Irish Setter

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Pyrenees is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Pyrenees is 68 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Great Pyrenees

    Popularity of Great Pyrenees

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Year Great Pyrenees Popularity Rank Irish Setter Popularity Rank
    2013 69 72
    2014 75 73
    2015 67 72
    2016 67 76
    2017 66 72
    2018 66 77
    2019 69 79
    2020 70 75

    Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Irish Setter

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Great Pyrenees is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Pyrenees than for the Irish Setter.

    5 health tests are recommended for Great Pyrenees while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Pyreneess and in Irish Setters.

    Great Pyrenees Health Problems

    Great Pyreneess are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Pyrenees puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Great Pyrenees puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Pyrenees breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Great Pyreneess for:

  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Pyreneess here.

    Irish Setter Health Problems

    Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Pyreneess and Irish Setters

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Great Pyrenees Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

    This is because the Great Pyrenees ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 109 Great Pyreneess, 9 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Great Pyreneess, and how common these diseases are in Great Pyreneess relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Neuronal Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 16 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 25 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 27 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 55 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 63 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 101 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 112 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 124 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 13 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 35 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 67 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 92 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 99 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Great Pyrenees and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter:

    Disease Great Pyrenees Rank Irish Setter Rank
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems 1 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Neuronal Degeneration problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 16 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 25 out of 182 dog breeds 67 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 27 out of 70 dog breeds 35 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 55 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 63 out of 115 dog breeds 13 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 101 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 112 out of 144 dog breeds 92 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 124 out of 198 dog breeds 99 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter

    Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Irish Setters?

    Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Setter

    Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?

    Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Irish Setter

    Great Pyreneess have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?

    Great Pyreneess are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Irish Setters?

    Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Setter?

    Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Pyrenees that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Great Pyrenees:

  • Black and Tan Coonhound (73 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (72 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (75 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Setter:

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs English Setter.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Great Pyrenees and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Pyrenees and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:

    Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Pyrenees versus Sealyham Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Pyredoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Akbash     Great Pyrenees versus Spanish Mastiff     Great Pyrenees versus Alaskan Malamute     Great Pyrenees versus German Pinscher     Great Pyrenees versus Goldendoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Ibizan Hound     Great Pyrenees versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Great Pyrenees versus Gordon Setter     Great Pyrenees versus Shih Tzu     Great Pyrenees versus Giant Schnauzer     Great Pyrenees versus Bracco Italiano     Great Pyrenees versus Border Collie     Great Pyrenees versus Valley Bulldog     Great Pyrenees versus Vizsla     Great Pyrenees versus Boykin Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Dalmatian     Great Pyrenees versus Lhasa Apso     Great Pyrenees versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Great Pyrenees versus American Water Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Great Pyrenees versus Carolina Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Carolina Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Bordoodle     

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Irish Setter versus Papipoo     Irish Setter versus Cocker Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Borzoi     Irish Setter versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Irish Setter versus Australian Cattle Dog     Irish Setter versus Goldendoodle     Irish Setter versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Irish Setter versus Pomchi     Irish Setter versus Frenchton     Irish Setter versus Cesky Terrier     Irish Setter versus Sheepadoodle     Irish Setter versus German Pinscher     Irish Setter versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Setter versus Australian Kelpie     Irish Setter versus Miniature Pinscher     Irish Setter versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Irish Setter versus Akbash     Irish Setter versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Irish Setter versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Setter versus Belgian Malinois     Irish Setter versus Hovawart     Irish Setter versus Shiranian     Irish Setter versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Irish Setter versus Dogue de Bordeaux     

    Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.